Ch. n. SOUTH AMERICA. 89 



tion of a governor, with the title of lieutenant- 

 general ; being luch under the prefident of Panama, 

 and the term of his poft is without any fpccified limit- 

 ation. He is always a gentleman of the army, having 

 under him the commandants of the forts that defend 

 the harbour; whofe employments are for life. 



It coníiíts of one principal ñrect, extending along 

 the ilrand, with other fmaller croinng it, and running 

 from the dechvitv of the mountain to the fhore, to- 

 gether with fome lanes, in the fame dire61:ion with the 

 principal ilrcct, where the ground admits of it. Here 

 are two large fquares; one oppoiite to the cuflom- 

 houfe, which is a ftrudlure of flone, contiguous to the 

 quay ; the other oppofite the great church, which is 

 of ftone, large, and decently ornamented, conñdering 

 thefmaihicfs of the place. It is ferved by a vicar and 

 other priefls, natives of the country. 



Here are two other churches, one called Nueilra 

 Signora de la Merced, with a convent of the fame 

 order; the other St. Juan de Dios, which, though it 

 bears the title of an hofpital, and was founded as luch, 

 is ver} far from being fo in reality. The church 

 of la Merced is of ftone, but mean, and ruinous, 

 like the convent, which is alfo decayed ; fo that, 

 wanting the proper conveniencies for the religious to 

 rende in, they live in the town difperfed in private 

 houfes. 



That of St. Juan de Dios is only a fmall building 

 like an oratory, and not in better condition than that 

 of la Merced. Its whole community confiils of a 

 prior, chaplain, and another religious, and iometimes 

 even of lei's: fo that its extent is very imall, lince, 

 properly fpeaking, it has no community ; and the 

 apartment intended for the reception of patients con- 

 fifls only of one chamber, open to the roof, without 

 beds or other necelfaries. Nor are any admitted but 

 fuch as are able to pay for their treatment and diet. 

 It is therefore of no advantage to the poor of the 



place ; 



